Joe’s Open Letter to NY Met Fans

Dear NY Met Fans,

The National League Championship series featuring the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets gets underway tonight. I have waited for this match up for some time. I am basically a lifelong Cub fan, but I grew up in a Mets household. I have heard a lot of rumblings from Met fans that say "this is our year." I am writing this today to simply say: it is NOT your year. This year belongs to the Cubs.

I have been a fan of the Chicago Cubs since I was 6. I'm often asked: how did you become a fan of the Cubs? If I remember correctly, it was actually pretty simple. My dad went on a business trip to Chicago. He was a Met fan, but he brought me home a Cubs hat. As I started wearing the hat, everyone told me that I looked "cute in the hat," and since I'm a little vain, I kept wearing it. I did not, however, at the age of 6 understand the heartache that would come with being a Cub fan.

I did not understand In my lifetime as a Cub fan that there would be constant heartache. For me the year that will hurt the most was 2003, but I know Cub fans older than me can recall other seasons that hurt more. Being an out of town sports fan is NOT easy. Our own Justin Louis has discussed being a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers. Have some sympathy for both of us. It has never been easy to be a fan of a team that isn't based in your area. It's costly to watch their games, and difficult to commiserate with those around you when your team loses.

So, I guess really, I am just writing this letter to simply say one thing:

My message for Met fans? Don't get your hopes up. This is the Cubs year. Joe Maddon has completely changed the culture in the Cubs organization. Theo Epstein and the Ricketts family have worked hard at creating an organization that can AND will win.

Jake Arrieta is going to come back from his last appearance stronger than ever. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo are both having amazing seasons as well.

Let's not forget too that the Cubs are 7-0 versus the Mets this year in the regular season. Many writers, fans and "experts" say: "don't put stock in that! The Mets are a totally different team." Maybe that's true, but let's not forget how hot that the Cubs also were in the second half of the season. The Cubs just knocked off the Cardinals in the NLDS.

No matter what happens, this Jersey Cub fan has enjoyed the ride. However, I don't think the magic for the Cubs ends yet.

Sorry, Met fans.

In the mean time, take our poll: who do you think will win the 2015 NLCS? The Mets or the Cubs?